Gronholm leads after wet Leg One

Ford's Marcus Gronholm leads Rally Turkey after a challenging first day's rallying.  Crews battled heavy rain and extremely muddy conditions on the remaining six stages, after event organisers were forced to cancel three stages.

In the absence of Sebastien Loeb, Gronholm was expected to dominate the opening day, however Subaru's Petter Solberg has returned to form and he and Gronholm each won three of the day's stages.  Gronholm holds a 26.1second lead going into Leg 2.

Colin McRae, returning to the WRC this weekend to replace the injured Loeb, has proven he has still got what it takes to challenge for the lead, and he currently sits in sixth place after an equal second fastest on the day's final stage, the Super Special in Antalya.

Tyre selection proved critical later in the day as the stages dried out, and many crews were disadvantaged after making wrong tyre selections.

Results Rally Turkey Leg One:

1. M. Gronholm, Ford

2. P. Solberg, Subaru.

3. Hirvonen, Ford.

4. H. Solberg, Peugeot.

5. Katajamaki, Ford.

6. McRae, Citroen.

7. Atkinson, Subaru.

8. Pons, Citroen.

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